Flat tow equipment needed to flat tow the 2021 Bronco?

[goatman]

I currently flat tow a Jeep Cherokee behind the motorhome. I use a Roadmaster tow bar and baseplate. I saw that Roadmaster is also looking for someone to let them use the Bronco to make the base plates. I plan to flat tow the Bronco. Since the coach has air brakes, I use an Air Force One system which also powers the vacuum brake booster, which I plan to move over to the Bronco. I can only get the 2.3, since it uses a vacuum brake booster. The 2.7 has electric boost so it won't work with my current system. I also have TPMS monitors on the coach and the Jeep, and on my enclosed trailer when I tow it.

As far as backing up, surprisingly it's really not an issue. When you know you can't back up you drive accordingly. I've trailered vehicles for years, but I am much happier flat towing for it's quickness to hook and unhook and simplicity, and parking in RV parks. Just ditto to what has already been said.

Sponsored

 

[grtharris]

goatman, after my test ride yesterday in a Badlands with 2.7 and EBB ( Electronic Brake Boost). I'm of the firm belief that the EBB stays active when the engine is off.
Several times the salesman would get up to around 25 miles per hour put the transmission in neutral and shut the engine and press the brake pedal it would stop just as fast as when the engine was running. The brake pedal definitely felt the same whether the engine was running are not.
So on the SMI Air Force One system just don't connect the vacuum system. Look at the instruction for "Non-Vacuum Brakes (Hydroboost)"

 

[goatman]

goatman, after my test ride yesterday in a Badlands with 2.7 and EBB ( Electronic Brake Boost). I'm of the firm belief that the EBB stays active when the engine is off.
Several times the salesman would get up to around 25 miles per hour put the transmission in neutral and shut the engine and press the brake pedal it would stop just as fast as when the engine was running. The brake pedal definitely felt the same whether the engine was running are not.
So on the SMI Air Force One system just don't connect the vacuum system. Look at the instruction for "Non-Vacuum Brakes (Hydroboost)"

That would be cool! I will definitely check that out. It would be good to be able to read the owners manual for a 2.7 equipped Bronco and see what it says about flat towing. More research time...

Thanks!

 

[kellyweiss]

That would be cool! I will definitely check that out. It would be good to be able to read the owners manual for a 2.7 equipped Bronco and see what it says about flat towing. More research time...

Thanks!

Here you go:
2021 Ford Bronco Owner Manuals, Warranties & More | Official Ford Owner Site

Page 307:
RECREATIONALLY TOWING
YOUR VEHICLE - AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
WARNING: Do not disconnect the
battery when recreationally towing your
vehicle. This prevents the transfer case
from shifting properly and could cause
the vehicle to roll, even if the
transmission is in park (P).

Additionally, the system is capable of
recreational flat towing by putting the
transfer case into neutral (N). See
Recreationally Towing Your Vehicle
(page 307).

 

[goatman]

Here you go:
2021 Ford Bronco Owner Manuals, Warranties & More | Official Ford Owner Site

Page 307:
RECREATIONALLY TOWING
YOUR VEHICLE - AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
WARNING: Do not disconnect the
battery when recreationally towing your
vehicle. This prevents the transfer case
from shifting properly and could cause
the vehicle to roll, even if the
transmission is in park (P).

Additionally, the system is capable of
recreational flat towing by putting the
transfer case into neutral (N). See
Recreationally Towing Your Vehicle
(page 307).

Thank you! Does not say anything about the braking in the tow section, or about towing in the brake section. Have to research that subject some more. Wonder how much battery power that electric brake booster would take while towing, and what might happen if the battery runs down. Stuff to check out. Might be nice to have the V6.

 

[kellyweiss]

Thank you! Does not say anything about the braking in the tow section, or about towing in the brake section. Have to research that subject some more. Wonder how much battery power that electric brake booster would take while towing, and what might happen if the battery runs down. Stuff to check out. Might be nice to have the V6.

Yep, seems to me with all the gadgetry and power-consuming technology on-board, if you are going to "flat-tow" behind a motorhome, the BRONCO battery going dead is pretty much an easy thing to predict. I guess the only way around this (i.e., the dead battery issue) is to remove some "strategic" fuses so battery power consumption is reduced.

 

[BreezyNVegas]

Yep, seems to me with all the gadgetry and power-consuming technology on-board, if you are going to "flat-tow" behind a motorhome, the BRONCO battery going dead is pretty much an easy thing to predict. I guess the only way around this (i.e., the dead battery issue) is to remove some "strategic" fuses so battery power consumption is reduced.

The first line in the manual for recreational towing says do not disconnect the battery.

WARNING: Do not disconnect the battery when recreationally towing your vehicle. This prevents the transfer case from shifting properly and could cause the vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is in park (P).

 

[kellyweiss]

The first line in the manual for recreational towing says do not disconnect the battery.

WARNING: Do not disconnect the battery when recreationally towing your vehicle. This prevents the transfer case from shifting properly and could cause the vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is in park (P).

Yes, we agree: "Do not disconnect the battery when recreationally towing your vehicle." - Disconnecting the battery WOULD BE BAD. Thus, maybe remove some fuses to reduce power demands on the battery; e.g., don't think you need your radio/GPS to be powered while towing.




Via

 

[kellyweiss]

If only I had a deer tag there...

fyi:

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission believes a Lifetime Permit should live up to its name and last a lifetime. Therefore, in addition to the regular paper license, each permit or stamp comes with an enameled brass plate, engraved with the person’s name, permit number and date of birth, and a carrying case.
Lifetime Permits and Stamps - Nebraska Game and ...

outdoornebraska.gov/lifetimepermits/

 

[goatman]

Whi

Yep, seems to me with all the gadgetry and power-consuming technology on-board, if you are going to "flat-tow" behind a motorhome, the BRONCO battery going dead is pretty much an easy thing to predict. I guess the only way around this (i.e., the dead battery issue) is to remove some "strategic" fuses so battery power consumption is reduced.

Which brings me back to getting the 2.3L and using the vacuum boost. Hmm.....

I want the 2.7 because of port direct injection, but don't want any reliability issues with the twin turbos. I want the power of the 2.7 but don't want to mess with the electric brake booster. At least people are reporting that the power of the 2.3 is fine. My order will be a 2022, plenty of time to research more.

 

[rsmag9]

Thanks guys for all the info. I plan on flat towing my bronco when I get it and will keep an eye on this thread as I've never flat towed before. Please add the info when you figure out something that will work (I ordered a 2.7 auto). Thanks

 

[goatman]

Thanks guys for all the info. I plan on flat towing my bronco when I get it and will keep an eye on this thread as I've never flat towed before. Please add the info when you figure out something that will work (I ordered a 2.7 auto). Thanks

Reading through the owners manual again, it says that the ignition/vehicle is turned off. So, it should be like parking the vehicle, meaning that other then applying the brakes no other modules or electronics is on. I'm feeling a bit better about this, and getting the 2.7. Air Force One says that as long as the battery is connected the electric boost will work when the pedal is depressed. Hopefully this is all true...seems like it should be. Still to be determined is how long the battery will last on a long flat tow when battery power is used to apply brake boost. There should be some technical info out there regarding that, have to find it.

 

[grtharris]

There are devices that connect to the 12VDC aux power pin on the 7 pin RV connector that helps keep the battery charge up. It was included in my Brake Buddy Stealth system.

 

[MrJoe]

Which bumper are you folks thinking would be best/easiest for flat towing? I have the BD on order. Since they are changing the standard bumper to capable, my gut says to stick with the modular. Flat towing is my #1 priority. No fancy lights or winches for me...

 

[Lab00Rat]

PLEASE - talk about the surge breaking system. I'm planning on this setup for my towing as it seems to be less prone to failure. The RV magazines INTENTIONALLY skip surge breaking systems when discussing breaking options, so there is little information known about options and first-hand experience.

Sponsored